William Gallagher
Allaying fears of lesser demand in China, stores in the country were as packed for the launch of iPhone 15 as everywhere else.
Also new in stores are the update AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging (USB-C), and Apple Watch SE. Apple had photographers at the first stores to open, starting with Apple Central World in Bangkok.
Welcoming the first buyers
Staff at Apple Central World high-fived customers, and also filmed the opening on their own iPhones.
Welcoming customers at Apple Central World, BangkokThere were also queues outside the store, with people filming themselves and the crowds.
Queues outside Apple Central World, BangkokHigh demand in Shanghai
Alongside Apple's photography of crowds outside the Apple Nanjing East in Shanghai, Reuters reports that over a hundred customers queued inside the store. The line outisde started forming at 5 a.m. local time, ahead of its opening at 8 a.m.
Queues inside Apple Nanjing East, ShanghaiAt the same time, Reuters notes that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max sold out in the first minute pre-orders began on the Alibaba Tmall site.
The orders in China are reportedly easing market concerns that the ban on iPhones imposed by the country's government would affect consumer demand too.
There has not, though, been a repeat of the stampedes that accompanied the iPhone 13 launch in China in 2021.
Apple's Deirdre O'Brien in Beijing
Apple's head of retail, Deirdre O'Brien, chose to join the staff at Apple Sanlitun, Beijing, for launch day.
Apple Head of Retail, Deirdre O'Brien, in Apple Sanlitun, BeijingAustralian crowds greet the iPhone 15
Apple Sydney, Australia, was also among the first stores to open with the new devices, and it too saw long queues.
Apple Sydney, AustraliaStaff in Sydney also welcomed the first buyers with applause.
Apple Sydney staff welcoming customers with applauseAt time of writing, UK stores have opened and been selling the iPhone 15 for around two hours. Shipments to US customers should be beginning soon, and retail Apple Stores will typically be opening at 10 a.m. local time.
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18 Comments
Yet another year of doomsayers falling flat on their faces.
And the surprising thing is that so many buy into the doom year after year. One of the things that people don’t get is that Apple products have been a signifier for middle class entry in Asian countries and the other thing is the number of young people still excited to buy Apple products.
The majority of Apple fans are the young and people who are bit more wealthy. The cost conscious customers (the ones with families and mortgages) are the ones who are more likely to be android users & hence the ones who will forestall purchases, so android is more susceptible to slow down with economic issues or competition from other brands (Huawei).
And the other thing is that I bet the majority of these buyers are walking out with iPhone 15 ProMaxs so the ASP for Apple is going to be higher this go around.
I have a 12 pro max and still not tempted to upgrade yet
Outrageous! I blame Tim Cook. 😉
I upgrade every year to Pro Max and my wife gets my hand me down. I used to wait in line at the store but not that exited anymore so my order is said to be coming in October. Come to Papa